“!”
I only found out today that my so-called sister was the previous “Academy Star.”
How did Eulie guess that just by meeting me?
‘Can you really not see through my identity? You’re guessing things so accurately I suspect you’ve peeked at the script!’
Hearing Eulie’s words, Olesia’s eyes brightened.
She hadn’t expected this new classmate to have such a background.
“I see. That explains why you were able to transfer mid-term…”
Olesia rested her chin on her hand, lost in thought.
Yuriko’s sister must have used her connections to get her in.
As for why she would do such a thing, it was likely so her younger sister could become an “Academy Star” just like her.
“So I was right after all! Teehee, I’m a pretty good guesser~” Eulie said, triumphantly tilting her nose up.
‘I’d prefer it if you weren’t. Please don’t be so accurate next time. Thanks.’
Although her identity had been figured out, it didn’t affect Yuriko much.
After all, her background had been dug up by someone else, not revealed by her.
There was no element of boasting or showing off involved.
“Sigh, I didn’t expect to be found out so soon. You’re quite sharp, Eulie,” Yuriko said helplessly.
Seeing Yuriko admit it, Olesia’s gaze became intense as she stared at her.
“You’re really the younger sister of Ruri Yun Jianlan? I’ve heard she was the most outstanding Academy Star since the academy was founded.”
“Was she really that amazing? I mean—Sister has always been an incredible person in my eyes, but I didn’t expect even all of you to know about her.”
Yuriko had almost misspoken.
As Yun Jianlan’s younger sister, it would be far too strange if she didn’t know how impressive her own sister was, wouldn’t it?
“Well, if it’s the famous Ruri, it’s not surprising she could get you into this academy. I’m just a bit curious, why did you only enroll this year? Surely attending from the first year would have been better for your development?”
Olesia asked.
Yuriko immediately tensed up.
If she didn’t answer this well, it would easily arouse suspicion.
She had to hide her past experience in the gang and find a suitable reason to brush it off.
‘What excuse should I use? That I was lost as a child and was only recently found?’
While Yuriko was thinking, Kalmira, who was sitting next to her, blinked as if she had realized something.
Yuriko had only recently found her family, and Yuriko’s sister was the previous “Academy Star.”
That meant Yuriko must have been living alone until her sister found her recently and sent her to Shengxiu Academy to study.
Kalmira clapped her hands and said in a soft voice, “I’ve got it!”
After she spoke, the other four turned their gaze toward her, including Yuriko.
Yuriko looked at Kalmira.
Her gentle deskmate hadn’t been able to get a word in until now, so her sudden outburst struck Yuriko as odd.
‘What do you know now? Even I don’t know what’s going on!’
Being the sudden center of attention made Kalmira shrink back a bit shyly.
She then turned to Yuriko and asked, “May I tell them?”
Yuriko: “?”
‘What are you even going to say? I have no idea!’
“Ah… sure?”
With Yuriko’s permission, Kalmira voiced her theory.
“Ruri told me before that she had always lived alone and was only recently found by her family. So, I suspect something must have happened to her family back then that left her wandering on her own. That’s likely why she’s only entering Shengxiu Academy now.”
“She lived by herself in the past and had to rely on part-time jobs just to make ends meet. It must have been very hard, and she probably didn’t have the luxury of going to school. Am I right, Ruri?”
‘Hmm? Oh! Yes, exactly!’
“Yes, that’s exactly how it was. That’s why I cherish the opportunity to study at Shengxiu Academy so much~”
Yuriko shot a grateful look at Kalmira.
Having her explain it made the story far more credible than if she had said it herself.
‘Kalmira, you really are a kind, good girl. Not like that little terror behind me who only knows how to stir up trouble.’
A-choo!
Eulie suddenly sneezed.
She wiped her nose and said with a giggle, “Huh, is someone thinking about me? Yuriko, is it you?”
“…”
Yuriko ignored the little terror and looked at Olesia instead, wondering if this explanation would satisfy her.
After listening to Kalmira’s explanation, Olesia nodded, showing no signs of doubt.
“I see. It sounds like things haven’t been easy for you. Jumping straight into fifth-year classes might be difficult for you, so if there’s anything you don’t understand, feel free to come to me. I’ll do my best to help you.”
‘She’s unexpectedly kind.’
“Then I’ll have to thank you for your kindness, Miss Wyndham~” Yuriko said with a smile.
The atmosphere between them clearly became more harmonious.
If things continued this way, she might be able to develop a good relationship with Olesia.
As long as a certain little terror didn’t act up, that is.
“Miss Olesia, I’d bet 80% of the reason Yuriko is here is to compete for the title of ‘Academy Star.’ The two of you might even end up as rivals,” Eulie chimed in from behind, stirring the pot at the worst possible time.
It was exactly what Yuriko had feared.
This was already the umpteenth time Eulie had tried to cause trouble.
If they weren’t in the academy, Yuriko would have wanted to stuff her into a block of cement and sink her to the bottom of the Sacred Heart Lake!
Eulie’s words were undoubtedly trying to make an enemy for her.
If Olesia cared enough about the “Academy Star” position, she would see Yuriko as a threat.
With Olesia’s popularity in the academy, it would be all too easy for her to trip Yuriko up.
A few bad words would be enough to ruin her reputation.
However, Olesia didn’t seem surprised at all by Eulie’s words.
With a faint, confident smile on her face, she said, “She’s the younger sister of the great Ruri, after all. I’m not surprised by that in the least. However, if you want to compete with me for the title of ‘Academy Star,’ Yuriko, you’ll have to work very hard.”
“After all, this year’s ‘Academy Star’ is already well within my grasp.”
Confidence.
Even knowing Yuriko had a sister who was a former “Academy Star,” Olesia remained just as self-assured.
Her expression didn’t change, and she didn’t show the slightest hint of hostility or dissatisfaction despite Eulie’s attempt to instigate conflict.
What appeared on Olesia’s face was the composure and confidence of someone who believed they could never lose!
Yuriko could feel that Olesia genuinely didn’t believe she could be a threat.
It was the first time she had ever met someone with such absolute self-confidence.
“You certainly are full of confidence, Miss Wyndham. It’s making me feel the pressure already,” Yuriko said.
She didn’t know what else to say, so she could only offer that bit of flattery.
Still, this was fine; at least she didn’t have to worry about being targeted by Olesia.
“Hmph, of course! That’s because my Lady is the most perfect existence in the world. There’s no such thing as her losing to anyone else!”
Nomili Kipling said, hiding behind Olesia with her nose tilted high in pride.